Inflation slows down for second month in July
INDEC reports two percent hike Saturday, August 13, 2016 Inflation slows down for second month in JulyConsumer prices decline as effects of utility tariff increases and devaluation wear offInflation in the Greater Buenos Aires area slowed for a second consecutive month in July on tighter monetary policy and as the effects of a devaluation and utility tariff increases wore off. After initially setting itself a target of slowing annual inflation to between 25 percent and 20 percent, the government now says its aim is for monthly inflation to slow to 1.5 percent by December. Higher figuresWhile also reporting a decline on the monthly inflation rate, other reports showed a larger rate in July than the one trumpeted by INDEC. The figures marked the third consecutive month in which monthly inflation decreased, as April and May had much higher numbers due to the increases in utility rates. Earlier this month, Finance Minister Alfonso Prat-Gay mentioned the results of Córdoba province’s inflation report in July as a sign that the goal of reducing inflation was finally being accomplished.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
August 13, 2016 02:26 UTC
Brazil: economy drops 0.5% in second quarter
Saturday, August 13, 2016 Brazil: economy drops 0.5% in second quarterActing Brazilian President Michel Temer speaks during the opening ceremony for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Nevertheless, in the second quarter, activity contracted 0.5 percent compared to the first three months of the year. It was its best performance since December 2014 and only the second expansion this year. Still, many economists see the economy improving in the second half of the year as confidence levels start to improve under the government of interim President Michel Temer. Shares in Petrobras rose despite lower second-quarter profits, as analysts praised strong recurring operational results and lower leverage.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
August 13, 2016 00:22 UTC
How Viable Is The Villa 31 Urbanization Plan? A Shantytown Delegate Weighs In
Read more: Buenos Aires Government Announces Plan To Urbanize Villas 31 and 31 BisHowever, this is not the first promise of the kind the villa’s residents have received. In order to pave roads, build sewers, install public lights and ensure safe housing, the Larreta administration would need to demolish houses and entire blocks. The Bubble spoke to Villa 31 Delegate Ruth Ledesma to find out what the neighborhood’s residents think about the announcement. And according to Ledesma, the different City administrations are entirely responsible for the villa’s overpopulation: “They shouldn’t have allowed it. This could present a problem for people relocated should the Larreta administration’s intention be the same.
Source:The Bubble
August 12, 2016 20:26 UTC
Flight Out Of Buenos Aires Makes Emergency Landing After False Bomb Threat
However, the passenger continued to complain to the crew once the plane left off. According to Federico Lemos, who was on a plane, the confused passenger allegedly referred multiple times to “cables” being connected to the passenger he thought was a terrorist. In case it isn’t clear enough, tefillin are used for morning prayers, not for setting off explosive devices. The Boeing 737 and its 93 passengers were thus forced to go through emergency protocol and land in Carrasco. In an interview to El Observador, the pilot only mentioned the alleged bomb threat when the plane touched the ground.
Source:The Bubble
August 12, 2016 19:52 UTC
Government Accuses Cordera Of ‘Crime Advocacy’ Following Rape Comments
Cordera had been invited to TeaArte for a group interview with the university’s journalism students. Beyond their shocking violence and misogyny, Cordera’s statements have been scrutinized for their ability to naturalize and advocate for rape and violence against women. Moreover, it opened an official investigation in order to evaluate if Cordera’s statements were in fact discrimination. Vadim Mischanchuk, a lawyer with the Association of Municipal Doctors, brought forth the other charge against Cordera. The Senate and the Legislature of the City of Buenos Aires expressed their opposition to Cordera’s statements.
Source:The Bubble
August 12, 2016 18:45 UTC
Messi Will Apparently Return To Argentina’s National Football Team
Lionel Messi reportedly told coach Edgardo Bauza that he would like to continue playing for Argentina’s National Football Team despite his announced resignation after the crushing loss in the Copa America Final. The country rationally reacted with statues and letters and marches but couldn’t seem to convince la pulga to stay. We knew you couldn’t part with us yet but why did you have to make us beg, Messi? There’s more reason to believe that la Pulga will again don the number 10 jersey and help take on Uruguay and Venezuela in the upcoming games in September. !” Linda indeed, that would be made even more so if hanging on Messi himself.
Source:The Bubble
August 12, 2016 17:48 UTC
Study: Electronic Sales Up 60 Percent So Far This Year In Argentina
According to a study conducted by market research consultancy TNS for the Argentine Chamber of Electronic Commerce (CACE), electronic sales have seen a 60 percent increase so far this year, yielding roughly AR $45 billion. Top online purchases were airplane tickets and hotels, followed by mobile phone equipment, televisions and car accessories. And although most users are still using their computers to actually make their online purchases, 57 percent are conducting their research on their cell phones. And the number of people making purchases from their mobile devices has increased from 26 percent in 2015 to 32 percent in 2016. The new restrictions meant that customers could only purchase a maximum of two items a year, and effectively ended door-to-door courier services.
Source:The Bubble
August 12, 2016 16:52 UTC
Study: 1.4 Million Have Fallen Into Poverty, Inflation And Utilities Hikes Are Blamed
In addition, 48 percent of urban homes are affected by at least one form of structural poverty such as food insecurity or poor housing. According to the study, the general increase in the price of utilities and food are the direct culprit for the large number of people that have fallen into poverty. Using a measurement the UCA calls the Barometer of Social Debt — a combination of food insecurity and income averages — the study covers the period between 2010 and 2016. According to the resulting data, the poverty level increased from 29 to 32.6 percent between December 2015 and April of this year (that’s where the 1.4 million number comes from) while extreme poverty went up from 5.3 to 6.9 percent. Much of these numbers had been foreshadowed in a preview of this study on April 1st of this year.
Source:The Bubble
August 12, 2016 15:56 UTC
General San Martín Tributes Can Now Be Enjoyed On The Internet
The Ministry of Defense took advantage of the digital age by posting 360 degree videos of General San Martín monuments from all over the world. Tributes have begun with a video of the general’s granaderos (soldiers on horseback) paying homage to San Martín’s remains in the Metropolitan Cathedral. Our thanks, San Martín. In case you didn’t already know, this Monday August 15th is a holiday, or feriado, commemorating the 166 anniversary of General José de San Martín’s death. And it doesn’t stop there: the website gives users access to virtual tours of The Historical Museum of the Regiment of General San Martín’s Mounted Granaderos, the National History Museum, the National San Martín Institute and the Metropolitan Cathedral.
Source:The Bubble
August 12, 2016 15:45 UTC
Highlights From José López’s Incredible Testimony
Read more: José López To Be Defended By ‘Hot Lawyer’ Fernanda Herrera. Herrera finally resigned as López’s lawyer in July, arguing she felt “a sensation of sexual harassment” from her client. Here are the highlights of his testimony:“First and foremost I want to say I was looking forward to appearing before you right now. According to his testimony, what went through López’s head during the days prior to his arrest is almost as incredible as the story itself: voices in his head, hallucinations, extreme paranoia, suicidal thoughts, the story’s got it all. He officially resigned from his post last week], parliamentary Alejandro Karlem told me, ‘You, I and [Agustín] Rossi are being investigated.
Source:The Bubble
August 12, 2016 15:22 UTC
US Ambassador Noah Mamet On Putting Argentina On The Map, And Trump
US Ambassador to Argentina Noah Mamet participated in a talk with students at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Argentina on Thursday. Here are some highlights from Mamet’s conversation with UCA students, as reported by Infobae: Mamet answered questions posed by students about the social and economic realities of Argentina, the corruption scandals surrounding the era of Kirchnerism and the upcoming United States presidential elections. The talk was hosted by the Director of Graduate Political and Institutional Communication, Pablo Perez Paladino, and moderated by the President of the University Foundation of Rio de la Plata, Luis Rosales.
Source:The Bubble
August 12, 2016 14:48 UTC
Beyond the Medal Count: The Real Winners and Losers of Rio 2016
Speaking at a press conference prior to the opening of the Olympics, Mayor Eduardo Paes promised the Rio 2016 Olympics would be “legacy” games, leaving a lasting impact on Rio. Rio Metro’s Linha 4 and the BRT are already underway and improving transportation from Rio’s center and Zona Sul to Zona Oeste. And yet, Olympics have benefitted at least a select few of the favela’s residents. Residents of the favela believe the façade is meant to disguise them from tourists, while organizers claim it is merely decorative – a striking metaphor for the different perceptions of the preparations for the Rio Olympic Games. While Paes and other officials praise the new Olympic constructions, local activists say their communities have been demolished to make way for Olympic infrastructure.
Source:The Bubble
August 12, 2016 13:52 UTC
What To Do In Buenos Aires This Weekend, August 12 Edition
La Viruta (Armenia 1366)PARTY: Fiesta Plop is throwing a Rocky Horror Show themed party to celebrate the show going up in Buenos Aires. This time we’re teaming up with Frameless to help you kick off the weekend in style with After Eight . Tickets are ARS 180 and can be reserved by emailing reservas1884@gmail.com or can be purchased at the door. It all starts at 11:55 PM and tickets are ARS 180 – you can buy them in advance here. The winter edition of the Circuito de las Estaciones will kick off at 8:30 AM with a 6K and a 12K.
Source:The Bubble
August 12, 2016 12:33 UTC
BA City inflation in July clocks in at 2.2%
A report published yesterday by the Buenos Aires city statistics directorate said prices rose by 2.2 percent in the city last month, a full percentage point below June’s 3.2 percent figure. Since the beginning of the year, prices have increased by 32 percent in the city, while 12-month inflation now amounts to 47.2 percent in BA. On Friday, inflation figures for all of Greater Buenos Aires will be released by the INDEC statistics bureau. Earlier this month, Finance Minister Alfonso Prat-Gay mentioned the results of Córdoba province’s inflation report in July as a sign that the goal of reducing inflation was finally being accomplished. Friday, August 12, 2016 BA City inflation in July clocks in at 2.2%Third consecutive monthly drop, but yearly increase in the capital now total 47.2 percentBuenos Aires City’s monthly inflation figures were down in July when compared to the past few months, but still remain above the government’s target for the second half of the year.
Source:Bueno Aires Herald
August 12, 2016 00:11 UTC
New Book Claims Macri’s Father Thought Trump Was Behind Son’s Kidnapping
“The patriarch entered [a state of] paranoia in which [he thought] that Donald Trump had orchestrated his son’s kidnapping. According to a new book written by Clarin’s Natasha Niebieskikwiat, The Kidnapping (El Secuestro), President Mauricio Macri’s father Franco Macri apparently considered the possibility that US presidential candidate Donald Trump was behind his son’s kidnapping in 1991. In August 1991, a gang of rogue former police officers snatched Mauricio Macri from the steps of his home, tied him up and stuffed him in the back of a van. Trump even visited Buenos Aires in 1984 and Mauricio acted as host for him and his then wife Ivanka. Todman allegedly offered to put him in contact with Ackerman and Associates, a firm that specialized in ransom kidnapping headquartered in the US.
Source:The Bubble
August 11, 2016 20:26 UTC